Task Force 24 reaches out to Chilean needy
CIFUNCHO, Chile (June 9, 2007) -- Building cooperation and support through humanitarian missions as well as training, Marines of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 24 joined Chilean counterparts in distributing donated items to the needy this week.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A158790589143799852572F40064BEE0?opendocument
June 9, 2007; Submitted on: 06/08/2007 02:20:24 PM ; Story ID#: 200768142024
By Maj. Dan Huvane, Marine Forces Reserve
Currently deployed to South America in support of Partnership of the Americas 2007, the Marines of SPMAGTF 24 created space in their vehicles to take ashore boxes of humanitarian aid from the USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) for distribution. An amphibious offload at Cifuncho then provided an opportunity to extend the reach of U.S. hospitality to the small coastal communities that often host Chilean military exercises.
“As we continue to work with the Chilean Marine Corps, we will return to these places again and again. It’s important to show that we want to be good neighbors to the people who make their homes there,” said Lt. Col. Thomas E. Chandler of Fort Collins, Co., Assistant Operations Officer for SPMAGTF 24.
The first mission took place in tiny Cifuncho, a fishing village that shares a beach with the landing site. An informal town council happily accepted ‘regalos’ (gifts) of soccer balls, packs of crayons and hygiene kits at the waterfront, while a restaurant owner and matriarch of the village was overcome with joy at the fact that U.S. and Chilean Marines would remember them.
“It felt good to see their smiling faces,” said Sgt. Justin Park of Ocala, Fl., a combat cameraman assigned to SPMAGTF 24. “It makes you appreciate what you have when you see how happy they are over something like a soccer ball. The chance to do something positive, to see the immediate result and to talk to them a little bit, is really nice.”
A larger community relations mission followed in the town of Taltal, north of the training area and much larger in size than Cifuncho. Chilean Marine Lt. Rodrigo “Sporato” Aguilera, the liaison to SPMAGTF 24, coordinated efforts with a local Chilean Naval detachment in advance of the visit, enabling the Marines to spend time at two schools before distributing aid and enjoying a warm reception at each.
At Alondra Rojas Barrios, an elementary school of approximately 700 students, the Marines and Chilenos were taken by the principal to two classrooms for their visit. After some songs and few curious questions, they sat in on a lesson about Chile’s naval history, and made friends with the children before presenting them with boxes of stuffed animals and crayons.
“For kids who see infrequently view Americans, it is an opportunity to see the other side of the Marines, for us to make an impact,” said Lance Cpl. Chris Buckles Haley of communications platoon, Headquarters Company, 24th Marine Regiment. “I felt proud to be a part of presenting a positive impression, one that stands in contrast to how we’re often portrayed. Foreign relations is one of the most important things we do today as the hegemonic power,” continued the West Chicago, Ill., native.
“Besides, the five and six-year olds are right about at the Spanish level I can understand, so I was talking to kids that gave me the opportunity to work on my language,” added Buckles Haley.
The next stop of the mission was Las Ranitas, a preschool and day-care center where many poorer families of the town send their ‘ninos.’ There the Marines held and played with toddlers and even infants before passing on donated baby mobiles and hygiene kits.
“Everyone was extremely friendly, and I wish we had even more to give them,” said Capt. Georgia Parment of Ithaca, N.Y., assistant officer in charge of the SPMAGTF Air Combat Element. “My favorite part was holding on to the little ones, at least until one started hanging on by my ear. They were all very precious.”